I feel like I am a talented actor, but I am not satisfied with that. I want to be the best I can be. (I feel like I'm doing a Military commercial)I have had/ and still have problems with comparing myself to other actors. I keep wanting to do everything right? I want to impress the class and the teacher. I am constantly told I'm too much in my head.

I've learned alot this year. I'm a sophomore in college and I'm studying theatre. I started acting when I was a junior in high school. I haven't been acting all that long, but I hold such high standards for myself that it causes me to beat myself up about it. I've gotten alot better, but days like today when we learn more specific things, it throws me off. I love acting because you can never know everything, and I hate it for the same reason.

My professor today talked about a lot of different things, like how doings can show audiences the arc of a relationship in a scene, there is always an arc in a scene, etc. It was just a lot of information all at once and I perform a scene from Hedda Gabler on Thursday for class. The professor is also the Head of Acting and I'm auditioning for BFA on May 2nd so I'd like to get on his good side. Going back to Hedda Gabler, he even said that it's a complicated play and it's a hard scene. My scene partner and I have really good chemistry, but we haven't worked on it as much as I would have liked.

I think this is a vent. That's all. Haha. But your input would be greatly appreciated.

Well, you have Wednesday to rehearse some more!
Remember: it's not about the right choice or the wrong choice, it's about the strongest choice YOU can make!

There's nothing wrong with holding yourself to high standards. In time, you will learn that beating yourself up is counter-productive, and that's when you'll get out of your head and really start to find your way. But beating yourself up is a normal part of that journey.

quote:

I have had/ and still have problems with comparing myself to other actors. I keep wanting to do everything right? I want to impress the class and the teacher.

Other actors don't do anything right... so don't compare yourself to them. There is only you.


Above all else, have fun! Study is important. But if you want to be the best actor you can, then you need to enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Prospective:
I've learned alot this year. I'm a sophomore in college and I'm studying theatre. I started acting when I was a junior in high school. I haven't been acting all that long, but I hold such high standards for myself that it causes me to beat myself up about it.

You're relatively new to acting.

That's the operative phrase here. I don't think that there's an actor alive who hasn't suffering the exact, same misgivings and doubts as you have at this stage in your career and training.

It may help you to know that there will always be blocks in your progress, and remember: Once you've conquered one block, they'll always be another one to replace it. We're always continually learning.

That's why we call acting an "art" and not a "science."

www.robertkim.com

Here is my advice, because I know what it means to beat oneself up. I am brilliant at beating myself up. Then I went to graduate school where the pressure was INTENSE to say the least. But I persevered as hard as it was.

After graduating I took a few years off of acting. To my surprise, when i started acting again, I noticed that all training had become so integrated in me, that I didnt have to think of the techniques I have learned and acting became easier.

If you are truly the type of person who wants to be the best they can be then know that the self pressure will be a constant in your life. you just have to find a way to manage (almost like an alcoholic will always be an alcoholic. All they do is learn to manage.

hope this helps.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________